Framingham homeless camp destroyed by fire

Friday

FRAMINGHAM – What appears to be a large lean-to used as a homeless camp was destroyed by a fire on Friday, authorities said.

The exact cause of the fire is not known, but it does not appear to be suspicious, Fire Chief Joe Hicks said.

Several people called 911 about 9:17 a.m. to report seeing black smoke coming from behind the former gas station at the corner of Speen Street and Cochituate Road. When firefighters arrived, they found a lean-to behind the gas station in flames. No one was there, the chief said.

The 12-by-12 lean-to appeared to be a makeshift house, the chief said. He said several two-by-fours were screwed to trees to form walls and there were several pallets used as a floor, with a large blue tarp used as a ceiling.

“It appears to be accidental, there were cigarettes and candles all over the place,” Hicks said.

Hicks said it is not known who lived there, or how many people lived there. The fire did not extend to the building, he said.

Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com. For up-to-date crime news, follow Norman Miller on Twitter @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime.